The Dallas Mavericks (9-6) travel to Staples Center Sunday to take on the Los Angeles Clippers (9-7). Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Mavericks at Clippers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Set to have back-to-back games against each other, the Clippers will host the Mavs two straight games, the second being Tuesday. That said, the Mavs could be without Luka Doncic, which doesn’t seem baked into the spread yet.
With that in mind, I’d likely wait until the MVP candidate’s status is announced before betting if you’d like to wager on Dallas. The Mavericks are 7-8 against the spread and 5-9-1 on the over/under. Doncic missed the team’s last two games, losing to Phoenix both times.
As for LA, they’ll continue to be without Kawhi Leonard, which has forced Paul George to step up. He has been playing at an MVP-caliber level as well, averaging 26.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this season.
They could become a greater favorite if Doncic is ruled out. However, despite its two losses, Dallas has played well without out their best player on the court.
Mavericks at Clippers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Mavericks +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Clippers -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Mavericks +2.5 (-108) | Clippers -2.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 213.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Mavericks at Clippers key injuries
Mavericks
- G Luka Doncic (knee) questionable
- F Maxi Kleber (oblique) questionable
Clippers
- F Kawhi Leonard (knee) out
- F Marcus Morris Sr. (knee) out
Mavericks at Clippers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Clippers 108, Mavericks 103
Money line
PASS on the money line.
The Mavericks are too talented of a team to bet the Clippers at -140, especially considering news of a potential Doncic absence could spike this well into the -200s.
Even without the guard, the Mavs have talent by the name of Jalen Brunson, Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr., making -140 not a great bet. At the same time, without knowing his status, the +115, which seems to assume Doncic will play, isn’t worth it either.
Against the spread
BET on the CLIPPERS -2.5 (-112). This is especially good value if Doncic misses as they lost to the Suns by 7 and 8 without their best player on the court.
The Clippers may not have the best record in the West, but they do rank 7th in net rating.
The Mavericks are down to 22, meaning they play extremely inconsistent for a team that’s 9-6. For example, even the 9-8 Trail Blazers have a positive net rating. Both their offense and defense are below average this season.
The Clippers, a team who has the second-best defensive rating, should limit the Mavs easy opportunities, especially considering they also rank atop the league in opponents free throw rate. The Mavs rank 7th in three-point attempts per game.
They rely on their three. The Clippers hold the 7th best opponents effective field goal rate. Overall, this will be a matchup of a short-handed Mavs against a lethal defense.
I’m going with the team that has proven to be more consistent this season and backing them with ease. I’d get this spread now before a potential Doncic announcement pushes it to around 6 or 7.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 213.5 (-108).
The Clippers strength is their defense, and that may limit what Dallas wants to do offensively. As noted, the Clippers have the league’s lowest opponents free-throw rate. Getting to the line won’t be easy.
That said, while the Clippers may play at the sixth-fastest pace in the NBA, the Mavericks rank 22nd in pace. They certainly don’t run at the same level and that’s regardless of if Doncic plays or not.
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